April 16, 2009–Between them, Laurie Johnson and Sherry Corsello have now won the Womens Southern Nevada Golf Association Amateur Championship a combined total of nine times. Johnson has dominated the Championship Gross division since the turn of the century, having won this event in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2008, and again this year. Corsello, also the president of the WSNGA and Las Vegas' Executive Women's Golf Association, has won the Net Division title in 2001, 2003 and again in 2009. The event was played at Las Vegas golf course Palm Valley Golf Club (pictured), part of the Golf Summerlin group of Las Vegas golf courses.
Johnson narrowly edged Christina Monteiro, a longtime Las Vegas golfer and former star at the University of Arizona. Johnson won on the first hole of a playoff. Johnson fired regulation rounds of 79-77–156 while Monteiro carded rounds of 80-76–156. Other top finishers were: Kari Higa 78-87–165; Sue DeFrancesco 85-81 – 166, Doe Emes 86-80–166, and Sherry Jackson 83-83–166; and Debbie Rees 87-83–170.
In the Net Division, Corsello outlasted Sarah Bowman in a three-hole playoff to earn her third victory in the event. Corsello fired adjusted rounds of 74-72–146 to comeback from a two shot deficit against Bowman (72-74–146). Other top net finishers were: Sarah Bowman 72-74–146; So Young Crabb 78-69–147; Chun Yi 76-73–149; Masako Brown 73-77–150 and Larren Buckley 76-74–150; and Sue May 75-77–152.
The Women's Southern Nevada Golf Association (WSNGA) is a voluntary non-profit organization founded to represent, promote, and serve the best interests of women's golf in Southern Nevada. The organization is the official representative of the United States Golf Association in Southern Nevada. The WSNGA organizes a large list of events. The Women’s Southern Nevada Golf Association’s Senior Amateur Championship will be played May 23 and 24 at Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort, Sun Mountain Course. The format is 36-hole stroke play, and limited to the first 72 entries received. A $120 entry fee includes green fees, cart, prize fund and awards luncheon.
The tournament is open to women at least 50 years of age as of May 23, with a verifiable handicap administered by the Southern Nevada Golf Association. There is no handicap index limit; however, the maximum handicap strokes will be 36. Players will be flighted by age, but first place gross and net may come from any flight. Prize fund will pay at least 1/3 of the field. Entries must be received by May 1. For more information contact Margie at m.bowgren@netzero.net or visit the WSNGA Web site at www.wsnga.org.
